Hearing Impairments

What it is:
Hearing impairments range from partial hearing loss to complete deafness. This affects the ability to process spoken information and can create challenges in communication, especially in noisy classrooms or fast-paced discussions.

What to look out for:
Students may frequently ask for repetition, appear inattentive, or misunderstand verbal directions. They might rely on lip-reading, struggle in group work, or avoid noisy environments where speech is harder to follow.

Real-life example:
In a group project, instructions are read aloud quickly by the teacher. A student with hearing loss misses key details and doesn’t want to admit it, so they fall behind in the task and get labeled as “not paying attention.”

How it affects learning:
Verbal-heavy lessons are difficult, especially without visual aids. Social conversations with peers may be tiring, leading to isolation. Group discussions can feel overwhelming, as students can’t keep track of who is speaking.

Best learning strategies:

• Provide written notes and captions for videos.

• Use assistive listening devices when available.

• Arrange seating so the student can clearly see the teacher’s face for lip-reading.

• Ensure classrooms are well-lit and minimize background noise.

• Encourage peers to speak clearly and face the student directly.